After my longish ride this morning I sat and noticed the Memorial Day mums with a couple of stems that broke and were starting to wilt. Without much thought I grabbed my LOTOJA water bottle and stuck them in. www.Lotojaclassic.com describes a race (my longest to date @ 206 miles in one day) that I did last year. One of the things I love most about solo riding is the ability to enjoy the scenery. I love to see wild flowers and tuck them away neatly in my mental scrapbook.
Today's ride was a "nose to the grindstone" ride, not a flower gazing ride. We (4 other guys from the Uintah Basin Medical Center team) rode from Roosevelt past Altamont and back. We figure it was just under 50 miles. The team is training for LOTOJA 2008 in September.
I love the variety that riding offers. From the hard intense rides to the sweet little adventures with my daughter Abbie and everything in between. Riding is very fulfilling and meets many of my needs on a social and personal level. I find I can go farther because I can go
faster with a group. But I find solo cycling a great opportunity to meditate as well. It forces me to set aside the cares that would otherwise consume my attention and burden my soul. I always come back with more peace and clarity.Moab, Utah is awe-inspiring from many standpoints: the variety of terrain, the beauty and majesty of the formations and the flora that are so successful in such an extreme environment, the activities (hiking, jeeping, canyoneering, rafting, kayaking, motorcycling, ATV, golf, camping, hotel, horseback riding, flights, parachuting, rock climbing, archeology, etc, etc)
I love the technical aspects of mountain biking in Moab. The challenge of conquering a trail or a difficult section, even at a slow (read: safe) speed is highly satisfying. Add the companionship of sons, brothers, or friends and the satisfaction grows. I find myself meeting many new friendly people who are also drawn to the adventure. It seems that every time I go I come across someone speaking French. I met some folks at the top of Amasa Back who drove up in Jeeps and who admitted "cheating". I countered that they deserve to see these views just as much as I do and that without their Jeeps they would probably miss out.
Fred is very adventurous and is willing to take risk that Jacob would rather avoid. It was very encouraging however, to see Jacob gain confidence and ride sections that he would have previously walked. Jacob (and I) also chose not to ride the 3-4 foot ledge that Fred rode. We also came home with fewer scrapes. Ask Freddy to tell you the rest of the story :)In spite of the scrapes, I can't wait to go back. I also am eager to try new challenges. I'd love to do a multi-day tour such as the San Juan Hut to Hut tour or the Ride The Rockies Tour. A friend and I also dream of riding some of the historic climbs of the Tour de France.
This is why I ride and will continue to ride until I am no longer able. On that day I'll sit back, count the memories and breathe my last breath.
